FLOWERS FROM ARCADIA. 



^ 




TRiCHOSTEMA. 

(blue cuhlb.) 



^« 



SCARLET LARKSPUR. 



Flowers from Arcadia 



A Series of Rondeaiix and Verses shoimug the various Flozoers of Affection 
that Blossom by the Wayside of Life 



ILLUSTRATED WITH STEEL ENGRAVINGS 



AND EMBELLISHED WITH CALIFORNIA WILD FLOWERS 



H Cbristmas (BreettuG 



JAMES T. White 




Copyriirht, 1SS4 

JAMES T. WHITE c- CO., Publishers 

2j Dttpont St., San Francisco 






•■")* 



v/ 



«0 



a'' 






^92^ 



q^-, . DEDICATION 



T^EAR friend^ though see?i by other eyes, 
"^^^ Your heart must read throuQ:h all diszuise. 



What tender meaning underlies 
^ This ChiHstmas Greeting: 

For you these humble flowers grow; 

To y 021 their sweet-breathed greetifigs go,- 

The message you already know 

Once more repeating. 



PRELUDE. 

/J BOOK of songs ^ a jar of 7cn?ie, 

A loaf and T/iou^ dear friend of mine^ 
Beside me in the Wilderness; — 
Oh ! then the Wilderness icon Id be 
Arcadia indeed to me, 

So great luoiild be my happiness. 

Paraphrased from the Persian of Omar Khayyam. 



^7^ O A ready hast thou ne'er been? 
"^ Then let me i^i^'e the mystic key,- 

TJie passivord that shall take thee in 
To A ready. 

LOVE. — Love that worketh charity; 
That holdeth all mankind as kin: 
That beareth htanan sympathy. 

Love is the only door therein; 

And Love, the " open sesame " 
JVhereby than mayst an entrance ivin 
To A ready. 



CONTENTS 



Dedication. 

Prelude. 

I. Nemophila, 

II. Columbine, 

III. Brodiciea, 

IV. Platystemon, . 

V. Ceanothus, 

VI. Chlorogalum, . 

VII. Tricostema, 

VIII. Scarlet Larkspur, 

IX. Manzanita, 

X. Fritillaria, 

XI. Geyser Lily, . 

XII. Mariposa Lily, 

XIII. Thurberia, 

XIV. California Azalea, 
XV. Eschscholtzia, 

XVI. Clematis, 
V Envoi. 



Admiration 

Entanglement 

Devotion 

Confession 

Absence 

Longing 

Entreaty 

Betrothal 

Marriage 

Paternity 

Anniversary 

Solicitude 

Com memoration 

Retrospection 

7 hoi light 

Trust 



FLOWERS FROM ARCADIA, 




NEMOPHILA 



ADMIRATION. 



Camciens wrote a sonnet to his sweetheart, 
Catrina, the refrain of which was, 
" Siveetest eyes were ever seen." 

Roundel. 

SWEETEST eyes were ever seen." 
Could the Poet e'er devise 
Daintier praise, — than gave Catrine 
Sweetest eyes? 

And which are the sweetest eyes? 
Soft and melting, lustrous, keen. 
Merry, — or demure and wise? 

Eyes that shine with light serene. 

Mirrored from Love's happy skies, — 
Like thine own, dear, — are, I ween, 
Sweetest eyes. 



COLUMBINE. 

ENTANGLEMENT. 

After Herrick. 

O BEE-KISSED Columbine, 
Tell this sweet friend of mine 
That she, 
Like thee, 
Hath ruby lip 
Where I would sip, 

Like wanton bee. 
And too, like thee, 
She bends her lily head 
And smiles, — but ties 
My heart with subtle thread 
Drawn from her eyes. 
She prisons me, — 
But then, ah me ! 
Her dungeon takes from me 
All wish for liberty : 

Her sweet bond blesses me. 
Her smile caresses me. 
And in lier gentle heart I lie 
At rest, 
Caressed 
By 1 .ove's delicious lullaby. 



BRODlyEA. 

DEVOTION. 

RONUEAU. 

IN days gone by these wild flowers fair 
Were made sweet messengers to bear 
My homage and fond thoughts to you, — 
If peradventure they might woo 
Your maiden fancy unaware. 



To me these sweet-breathed blossoms are 
Reminders still of that fond care 
For you, which in my bosom grew 
In days gone by. 

Your dear familiar face they wear, 

And in their beauty I compare 

The old-time charm they bring anew:- 
I wonder if they bring to you 

The message they were wont to bear 
In days gone by? 



^ 




BRODi>EA. 

(CALIFORNIA HVACINTt 



PLATYSTEMON. 

(cream cup.) 



PLATYSTEMON 



CONFESSION. 



Can I teach thee, my beloz>ed? 

Can / teach thee? 
Can I bless thee, my beloved ? 

Can I bless thee ? 
Alas! / can but loz'c thee. 

— Mjs. Brozvning. 



THOU hast taught me, my beloved: 
Thou hast taught me : 
Taught me Life's profounder meaning; 
Taught me honor, virtue, — weaning 
Me from all ignoble things : 
On Imagination's wings 
Taught me how to soar, and find 
Rarest pleasure in the mind: 
Taught me Life's dull incompleteness 
Without Love's renewing sweetness: 
From the height of thy pure soul 
Taught me passion to control; 

And hast brought me 
At thy gentle feet to learn 
What thy clearer eyes discern. 

Thou hast blessed me, my beloved, 

Thou hast blessed me : 
Blessed me with thy tender eyes, 
Which look on me in such a wise 
My faint soul grows strong again, 
As the flowers after rain : 
And they rest me, 
While they more and more enchain. 
Thou hast blessed me with thy words: 
Sweeter than the song of birds, 
They have soothed my weary brain, 
Banished every care and pain 
That distressed me. 



And a new strength put within me 
'J^o resist dehghts that win me 
From the duty Ciod commands. 
Thou hast blessed me with thy hands, 
Which have ever shared my toil, 
Heeding neither ache nor soil. 

And caressed me, 
Making all my burdens lighter, 
And the sky of hope still brighter. 
Dear hands, — only made for smoothing 
Resdess pillows, and for soothing 
Tired hearts, — would they were mine 
1 o have and hold by right divine ! 

Dost thou love me, my beloved? 

Dost thou love me ? 
Thou whom I have from afar 
Watched and worshipi)ed, like a star 

That above me 
Shines, and yet may never know 
The blessing' that its beams bestow ? 
Thou hast taught me, thou hast blessed me, 
And with happiest thoughts i)0ssessed me. 

But to love me 
Is the crowning of all blessing; 
Making me by thy confessing 
Rich beyond all power to measure,— 
Royal, — crowned by thy sweet pleasure 
Sovereign of a fair domain 
I had never thought to gain. 
Blessing, honor, rest, thou art. 
And with undivided heart, 

Dear, I love thee, — 
Love thee more than words can tell: — 
And I would that my caressing 
Could bring thee so rich a blessing. 
And forever more compel 
Love's peace in thy heart to dwell. 



CEANOTHUS. 



absp:nce. 



T 



HP: day is night when thou art gone; the night 
Is long, and silence, like a roaring sea 
By angry tempest driven, thunders on 
My utter loneliness and solitude. 
O friend beloved, how can I part from thee ! 
How can I say farewell to those bright eyes, — 
Those eyes which bless me with their tender light! 
How can I say farewell to those soft hands, — 
Those hands which hold me in their light caress! 
How can I say farewell to those sweet lips,— 
Those lips which teach me Love's divinest law! 
How can I say farewell to that dear heart,— 
That heart which is to me my Heaven, my all ! 
No, no, dear love, I cannot part from thee : 
My heart on angel wings will follow thee, 
And find thee, wheresoe'er thou art; will hold^ 
Thee still in sweet embrace, and whisper Love's 
Unwearied story to thy listening ear. 
My thoughts in sweet companionshij) will still 
Thy gentle footsteps lead where sunniest skies 
Their azure keep undimmed, and genial cHmes 
Perpetual fragrance shed. My thoughts, with Love's 
Transforming wand, will touch the wild flowers in 
Thy path, and bid them yield a sweeter breath 
And wear for thee a brighter face and smile. 
They will sweet odors bring of home and friends 
And dear remembered hours, if haply they 
May tempt a restless, wandering thought, and turn 
Remembrance back to homelier scenes— and me. 

Sweet heart, my thoughts thy guardian angels be, 
And bring thee safe to home, and love, and me ! 



CHLOROGALUM 

LONGING. 



And then I know some thought from yo7t 
Hasjicivn across the night ami found me. 

A nd though I loz'e, and though I trust, 
A nd yet will loz'e and trust forerer. 

Ah ! dear, I long and yearn for just 
One glance, one touch to still the fever.'' 



My own dear TvOVe, 



Your tuneful lay 

Has found me weary, sad and lonely ; 
The ])romise of my strife has fled, 

And left me disappointment only. 
Could you have known my weariness, 

Or known how great my heart's depression, 
Your pitying thoughts could not have sent 

More healing balm than this confession. 

Yes, dear, my restless thoughts have flown 

Across the night, to you returning 
Like carrier birds at last set free 

Instinctively their home discerning. 
They must have told you, dear, how much 

I want you, need you every hour; 
That life without you is unblest,— 

The perfume gone from every flower. 



I long and yearn for you as well, 

To hold you 'in Love's fond caresses: 
One glance, one touch will never fill 

The need my waiting heart confesses. 
I want you in my daily life,— 

My dear companion, fond and tender: 
And you shall be my rest, — my joy, 

And I, your helpmeet and defender. 

Whene'er I read your matchless lines. 

Of fond regret and hopeful waiting. 
Their tender longing lifts my heart 

To you in happy contemplating. 
Their music round me weaves a tie. 

Nor distance, age, nor time can sever; 
And, dear, to strengthen this sweet bond, 

Shall be through life my one endeavor. 



TRICOSTEMA. 

ENTREATY. 



RoNDEAr> 



ABIDE with me, O gentk guest! 
Thy presence brings to me sweet rest ; 
Thy hands bring soothing to my brow; 
Thy words such sympathy avow, 
Thy going leaves me all unblest. 

Still fairer shall thy bower be dressed; 
Anticipated each request; 

One song thy life shall be, if thou 
Abide with me. 

I would not longer have th^e gtiest; 

I cannot hold thee uncaressed 

So near my heart : Sweet love, be thou 
My bride ; Love's tend'rest name allow. 

And ever in his happy rest 

Abide with me. 




^^^^f.-^^- 



SCARLET LARKSPUR. 

BETROTHAL. 

ROUNUEI-. 

" T WILL thy lot and portion share; 
■^ Will love and honor thee, and fill 
The measure of thy need, whate'er 
/will." 

This tender flower cherish, till 

In Heaven it blooms more bright and fair, 
l^'or love in Heaven will blossom still. ' 

And Love's fair flower hath made thee heir 

To a new life beyond death's chill ; — 
Eternity hath heard this, dear, 
"I win." 



MANZANITA. 

MARRIAGE, 

Rondeau, 

O HEART, beloved! I dedicate, 
The powers and aims of man's estate— 
. The dearest hopes of life to thee; 
Thy happiness my care shall he. 
On every wish my love shall wait. 

I sought thee not for wealth nor state ; 
Though countless graces on thee wait, 

'Twas thy sweet, loving self made thee, 
O heart, beloved. 

If frowning fortune be our fate. 
More tender and affectionate 

My sympathizing love shall be ; 

No ills that Heaven may decree 
Our knitted souls can separate, 

O heart, beloved! 



^ 




MANZANITA. 



FLITERARIA RECURVA. 



'^ 



FRITILLARIA. 

PATERNITY. 

Roundel. 

I'M four years old; — and by the way 
-^ That must be why my papa told 
Me not to cry, because to-day 

I'm four years old. 

I'll try and not again be told; 

And when I may not have my way 
I'll strive the starting tears to hold. 

But when I hurt myself if they 

Do come, and will not be controlled, 
ril stop, and to myself I'll say, 

" I'm four years old." 



"-1 



GE.YSER LILY. 

ANNIVERSARY. 

Rdnueau. 

T^HE bells were told to ring in glee 
■'■ The day when first thou cam'st to be 
Our home's delight ; and in my heart, 
By Love's supreme, mysterious art, 

These bells have rung unceasingly. 

And on this day there comes to me 
Anew the tender memory 

Of that sweet joy, which but in i)art 
The bells were told. 

Dear child, in whose sweet eyes I see 
'I'he Heaven that waits above for me, 

How far from me would Heaven depart; 

How comfortless would be my heart, 
If through some darkened day for thee 
riie bells loere tolled! 



^ 




MARIPOSA LILY. 



THURBERIA. 



^ 



MARIPOSA LILY. 

SOLICITUDE. 

Roundel. 

LIKE one of these, Art hath not made 
Attire that can our eyes so please; 
E'en Solomon was not arrayed 

Like one of these. 

Consider how they grow in ease 

And leisure, dancing in the glade 
Eike butterflies upon the breeze. 

Then be not thou with burdens weighed ; 

If He a flower's need o'ersees 
Thou too shalt on His care be laid 

Like one of these. 

Mari/osa—Spanish for Butterfly. 



THURBERIA. 



COMMEMORATION. 



THESE wedding bells for fifteen years 
Have rung alternate joys and knells, 
Till now our deepened love endears 
These wedding bells. 

These fifteen years, dear wife, have brought 

Much more of happiness than tears. 
While Love has many lessons taught 
These fifteen years. 

Love taught us, dear, that hearts are torn 
By words and looks, as millstones tear; 
That burdens shared, are easiest borne. 
Love taught us, dear. 

As years go by, with ruddier glow 

Shall Love adorn our sunset sky; 
And closer still our hearts shall grow. 
As years go by. 



CALIFORNIA AZALEA. 

RETROSPECTION. 

THE Christmas Bells from hill and tower 
To-night their benedictions shower; 
And on the waves of their sweet chimes, 
Fond thoughts of home and olden times 
Set sail through memory's Golden Gate : 
Deep laden with love's precious freight, 
They speed their homeward course to-night 
Across the sea with Ariel flight. 

O you, who wait returning sails, 
Whose eyes hope long-deferred o'erveils 
With lowering clouds, take heart again ! 
For lo ! unseen through mist and rain 
Of tears, a thousand white-winged keels, 
Afloat on billow7 Christmas peals, 
Seek haven in your hearts to-night. 
Home guided by love's beacon light. 

Dear friends, though sundered far and wide; 

Though varied quests our thoughts divide, 

May these rich argosies of love 

My tender, faithful memory prove; 

May they to-night new love awake. 

And in this festive season make 

Your hearts forget the old farewells. 

In greetings brought by Christmas Bells. 



ESCHSCHOLTZIA. 

TWILIGHT. 

AS children, when the day is done 
And twilight deepens, one by one 
Around the evening fireside come 

With happy faces; 
Brightening the home with quiet cheer. 
And drawing every heart more near 
In perfected affection's dear 

And fond embraces : 

So may sweet memories come to you; 

And whisp'ring the old love anew 

May thoughts of those long lost to view 

Around you cluster : 
May their fond greetings so delight 
That you forget the gathering night, 
While earth's horizon grows more bright 

With heavenly luster. 

Without a thought of vain regret, 
Then may these latter days be set 
In Joy's completed coronet, 

Heaven's richest dower: 
May they wTth blessings be replete; 
And be, in Love's reunion sweet, 
A season when loved memories meet, — 

Life's twilight hour. 



'^^ 

I 



^ 



fe- 



';f|^ 



CLEMATIS. 

TRUST. 

Rondeau. 

IF hearts are dust, hearts' loves remain, 
And somewhere, far above the plane 
Of earthly thought, beyond the sea 
That bounds this life, they will meet thee 
And hold thee face to face again. 

And when is done Life's restless reign. 
If I hereafter but regain 

Heart's love, why should I troubled be. 
If hearts are dust? 

By Love's indissoluble chain, 
I know the grave does not detain 

Heart's love. The very faith in me 

Is pledge of an eternity. 
Where I shall find heart's love again, 
If hearts are dust. 



L'ENVOI. 

"/ "HA T I might share with thee, dear frie fid, the sweet 

Enjoyment Memory brings, Tve sought to lay 
On these fair pages little bits of tint 
And color — here and there a study, worked. 
Sometimes in s?fiiles, sometimes in tears, — if they 
Perchance might hold thy wandering thoughts awhile, 
Afid lead thee back to Arcady — afid me. 



JT 4 - 1950 



ynhpjy. 



f 






t/"\' 



cP<\^ 






a^^ 



3^^ 











< 




vt. 



ay ■< 





^^0^ 



0^ ./> 




0^ ^^_y>«. -^^ ^ 



%.^^ 













'% .^^ 






r V ^ '•, -"mf^ s -ay xT X ^mmW^ c ^S 










^ ^ ^ 

%<^ « 










' %.# ^' 



^^\.^^ - 



^^^<o 



^^cP^^*^ J 



n<<< 









(y" 



% d« o' 






5 .«5 Q 



*^ %^ 



,^^^ ; 



\,^^ 






% 



\ %>/ 



V^ » 



^^^0^ 



i .^^ 9^ 









X^ 












^^rfi 






1.^ 



\.^^ .^' 



<- 






.<^^ 



'*^ \. .^^ ^^ Wa'^o 






